Worldwide millions of children are not able to fully participate in schooling, and this is especially a problem for children with disabilities. In this course, we explore the support that teachers need in order to meet the needs of children with severe to profound hearing, visual and intellectual disabilities. We consider how this can be done by talking with a range of experts (from teachers to activists) about inclusive education as well as sharing experiences of education.
Inclusive education is only possible if teachers are supported and empowered to make the curriculum accessible to all learners. The topics in this course cover developing disability confidence and what exactly children with specific impairments need to be able to learn. This includes sharing specific classroom strategies and teaching activities for learners who are D/deaf or hard of hearing, blind or have low vision or have a severe to profound intellectual disability. By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the impairment specific needs of learners with disabilities, and how to build systems of support for inclusive education.
You will be able to purchase a Verified Certificate if you wish to show evidence of your achievements, but this is optional, and you may apply for Financial Aid if you are unable to pay the certificate fee.
This course was developed as part of the project ´Strengthening teaching for Children with profound Hearing, Visual and Intellectual Disabilities in South Africa` co-funded by Christoffel-Blinden Mission (CBM) and the European Union.

100% online

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Beginner Level

Hours to complete

Approx. 18 hours to complete

Suggested: 5 weeks of study, 2-3 hours per week...

Available languages

English

Subtitles: English

What you will learn

Check

Be able to understand disability as an issue of social justice

Check

Describe educator support needs with regards to disability inclusion

Check

Identify the systemic support structures available to teachers within the education system

Check

Understand the impairment specific support needs of learners with disabilities

Learners taking this Course are

Teachers

Therapists

Psychologists

Professors

Entrepreneurs

100% online

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Beginner Level

Beginner Level

Hours to complete

Approx. 18 hours to complete

Suggested: 5 weeks of study, 2-3 hours per week...

Available languages

English

Subtitles: English

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Week

1

Hours to complete

3 hours to complete

Inclusive education and special education: Equality and equity

This week, we consider what disability inclusion means by exploring different models of disability as well as disability rights and policies. Drawing from the history of special and inclusive education we look at how mainstream schools can move towards becoming inclusive schools and how special education can fit into an inclusive education framework. At the end of this week, there is a graded quiz, where you can check your understanding of the key concepts. Every week, you are invited to reflect on the topics in the discussions where you can talk with others about what this means for your practice as an educator.

Podcast: How does special education fit into an inclusive education system?10m

Resources5m

Quiz3 practice exercises

Ways of thinking about disability10m

Inclusive education10m

Week 1: Inclusive education and special education45m

Week

2

Hours to complete

4 hours to complete

Supporting disability inclusion

This week focuses on teacher empowerment and what teachers need to know to better support learners with disabilities. We begin by sharing with you what the Teacher Empowerment for Disability Inclusion (TEDI) project's research findings revealed about teachers’ educational needs. This week we hear powerful personal testimonies of individuals living with disabilities about their schooling which highlights the importance of the empowered teacher in their lives when they were learners. At the end of this week, there is a graded peer review and opportunity for reflection through discussion.

Systemic support for educators

This week focuses on the systemic support structures that are available to teachers and educators in order to support learners with impairments. A former teacher and two district officers share their experiences of support structures and the roles they had to shape and implement policies within the spaces they found themselves in. We will also explore some insights from the TEDI research project on how teachers feel they are supported. At the end of the week, there is a graded quiz and optional Honours Peer Review assignment where you can explore these topics further.

Education support systems and supporting teacher empowerment for disability inclusion5m

How systems of support work9m

How do teachers feel they are supported, or not supported?8m

School and district based support systems10m

Effective support11m

Informal support5m

Family-professional partnerships6m

Wrap up1m

Reading2 readings

Podcast: Policy approach to support systems10m

Resources10m

Quiz3 practice exercises

Education and support systems10m

Informal support systems for educators10m

Week 3: Systemic support for teachers10m

Week

4

Hours to complete

2 hours to complete

Principles and approaches for disability inclusion

This week discusses how to make the curriculum accessible for all - particularly focusing on those with severe to profound disabilities. This includes understanding some of the causes of specific impairments (hearing, visual and intellectual) and their impacts on learning. We also have the pleasure of learning from experts who outline which principles and approaches can be adopted to best support learners with these specific impairments. At the end of the week, there is a graded quiz where you can test your knowledge of what you have learnt, and through a discussion reflect on your own teaching practices.

Education for children with severe to profound intellectual disability7m

Wrap up48s

Reading1 reading

Resources10m

Quiz4 practice exercises

Specific impairments - Low vision and blindness10m

Specific impairments - D/deaf and hard of hearing10m

Specific impairments - Severe to profound intellectual disability10m

Week 4: Curriculum accessibility and learner needs

Week

5

Hours to complete

3 hours to complete

Inclusive teaching

In this week, the concept of universal design for learning is introduced as a way of approaching teaching and learning to tackle any problems of exclusion from education. Building on the lectures from last week, this week, experienced teachers describe in some detail what teaching strategies they use in their classrooms to include and support learners with specific impairments. Finally, in the peer review assignment you will be given the chance to create your own plan to support a learner, using the universal design principles.

Instructor

About University of Cape Town

The University of Cape Town is the oldest university in South Africa and is one of the leading research universities on the African continent. UCT has over 25 000 students, of whom 30% are postgraduate students. We offer degrees in six faculties: Commerce, Engineering & the Built Environment, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, and Science. We pride ourself on our diverse student body, which reflects the many cultures and backgrounds of the region. We welcome international students and are currently home to thousands of international students from over 100 countries. UCT has a tradition of academic excellence that is respected world-wide and is privileged to have more than 30 A-rated researchers on our staff, all of whom are recognised as world leaders in their field. Our aim is to ensure that our research contributes to the public good through sharing knowledge for the benefit of society. Past students include five Nobel Laureates – Max Theiler, Alan Cormack, Sir Aaron Klug, Ralph Bunche and, most recently, J M Coetzee....

Frequently Asked Questions

Chevron Right

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?

Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.

Chevron Right

What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?

When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.